When it comes to social media usage at an individual level the scale
can range from completely indifferent to completely hooked. Now I have a
reasonable presence on the big 3 ( Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter)
although my twitter account was primarily created for research purposes.
I also have a reasonable presence on YouTube (I have a couple of
channels to separate personal videos from work related ones) as well as a
presence on a number of other lesser known social media platforms. I
also choose to research and (attempt to) understand online consumer
behaviour in hospitality. So although I am not on the “completely
hooked” end of the scale I often comes closer to it than the totally
indifferent.
That was all to change when for personal reasons I started traveling
more often to Greece and difficulties with the health of a loved one
meant that my focus shifted and something had to give. A completely
unplanned eight month social media sabbatical ensued. From early October
to late May I went teetotal! Not a word, Not a thought online! My
creativity and some of my normal positive outlook on life had gone on
holiday. But every cloud has a silver lining!
Here is my account of what happened with each of the big three during my absence, and my thoughts on how important is it to keep a constant daily account of your whereabouts and your what-abouts?
TWITTER: On twitter I have set an automated online newspaper having chosen hospitality related themes as the subject matter, it collects news items and merges them into a neat little newspaper which I skim read to capture latest news. As it happens so do others and my ghost self made it look (still does) like I am always around!
Lesson: It is not engagement but you do not need to be active on twitter to still get benefits from this little online news machine!
FACEBOOK: After 8 months of absence and with 950 ‘friends’ on Facebook (and I am very selective as to who I add) I received about 10 private messages asking if I am OK and had a couple of phone calls from concerned real friends. A lot of Facebook friends did say good things upon my return and it’s a great medium to keep in touch with relatives and past students but it I have seen plenty of friends get addicted to its powers of illusion.
Lesson: The vast majority of your Facebook friends are online acquaintances most of who would probably not recognise you when you pass them on the street.
LINKEDIN: With over 1,200 contacts 98% of which I have personally met it was interesting to see that an 8 month absence from this platform did not really affect my standing. I had a few messages from colleagues asking advice or wanting to meet up, but I caught up very fast upon my “sabbatical” return.
Lesson: LinkedIn is a great interactive online CV and unless you are a consultant who is in need of constant business, you can really relax and enjoy keeping track of your achievements whilst letting the good things that could happen with LinkedIn, happen by themselves.
YOUTUBE: OK my channel is not one of those really cool ones with millions of subscribers. I upload what I enjoy creating when I get a chance to create it. My most viewed video has just about over 9,600 views so we are talking a small audience here. My fun channel (about the island of Leros) on the other hand has close to 150,000 views and even there I rarely post videos.
Lesson: YouTube videos are the best time investment you can make in terms of online resilience. It may take a little more time creating and editing a video but my 8 month absence made very little to no difference what so ever to the flow of views.
FINAL THOUGHTS: There are differences to personal use from business use, but most of us do not have PR companies managing our social media activity. So as a final thought here are the three Big Lessons that I took from my experience:
Yours truly
Ioannis
Here is my account of what happened with each of the big three during my absence, and my thoughts on how important is it to keep a constant daily account of your whereabouts and your what-abouts?
TWITTER: On twitter I have set an automated online newspaper having chosen hospitality related themes as the subject matter, it collects news items and merges them into a neat little newspaper which I skim read to capture latest news. As it happens so do others and my ghost self made it look (still does) like I am always around!
Lesson: It is not engagement but you do not need to be active on twitter to still get benefits from this little online news machine!
FACEBOOK: After 8 months of absence and with 950 ‘friends’ on Facebook (and I am very selective as to who I add) I received about 10 private messages asking if I am OK and had a couple of phone calls from concerned real friends. A lot of Facebook friends did say good things upon my return and it’s a great medium to keep in touch with relatives and past students but it I have seen plenty of friends get addicted to its powers of illusion.
Lesson: The vast majority of your Facebook friends are online acquaintances most of who would probably not recognise you when you pass them on the street.
LINKEDIN: With over 1,200 contacts 98% of which I have personally met it was interesting to see that an 8 month absence from this platform did not really affect my standing. I had a few messages from colleagues asking advice or wanting to meet up, but I caught up very fast upon my “sabbatical” return.
Lesson: LinkedIn is a great interactive online CV and unless you are a consultant who is in need of constant business, you can really relax and enjoy keeping track of your achievements whilst letting the good things that could happen with LinkedIn, happen by themselves.
YOUTUBE: OK my channel is not one of those really cool ones with millions of subscribers. I upload what I enjoy creating when I get a chance to create it. My most viewed video has just about over 9,600 views so we are talking a small audience here. My fun channel (about the island of Leros) on the other hand has close to 150,000 views and even there I rarely post videos.
Lesson: YouTube videos are the best time investment you can make in terms of online resilience. It may take a little more time creating and editing a video but my 8 month absence made very little to no difference what so ever to the flow of views.
FINAL THOUGHTS: There are differences to personal use from business use, but most of us do not have PR companies managing our social media activity. So as a final thought here are the three Big Lessons that I took from my experience:
- Never let your ego get the better of you and get totally hooked with social media. Do not let your curiosity either do the same.
- Your online friends are great people but they are not all your friends, take time to rediscover the meaning of friendship.
- Take breaks from it all. I now plan to take at least one-two months “sabbatical” from social media as well as one day a week as my social media “fasting” day.
- Never take yourself too seriously!
- Stop doing it if you are not enjoying it!
Yours truly
Ioannis
Comments
Post a Comment